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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
Need advice on rifle
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<blockquote data-quote="bbckfh" data-source="post: 1342012" data-attributes="member: 100810"><p>First: thanks in advance for listening...</p><p></p><p>So I need some advice. I currently have two Browning X-Bolts. One a Hunter in .308 Win and one a Long Range Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor. Both have the same action and trigger, the '08 has a 22" sporter barrel and the 6.5 a 26" threaded "heavy sporter" barrel. In truth, they're both great shooters. </p><p></p><p>But...</p><p></p><p>They don't quite fit, and I certainly don't need two such similar rifles. Specifically, I'd like a slightly longer LOP (by ~1"), a slightly more upright pistol grip, a slightly higher comb (I'm using a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x32 and 4-12x40, both in low rings, so I don't need much), and a slightly shorter reach from the pistol grip to the trigger shoe. </p><p></p><p>I'm loath to sell because they both shoot so well (3/8"@100yds) but...</p><p></p><p>I made the mistake of going to Cabela's, and the Tikka T3x CTR seemed to meet all of those dimensions more closely. Plus the barrel is only 24", so I'll still get decent velocity yet be slightly more handy with my 8" Sandman Ti attached. </p><p></p><p>Of course, I've lusted after Coopers and their gorgeous wood for quite some time. </p><p></p><p>And the Curtis Axiom sounds amazing. </p><p></p><p>So it begs the question: I can sell both and get the Tikka, and come out ahead on cash for diapers (I have 4 under 7 who will need college savings) or ammo, or travel. Maybe less so when it comes time to buy two 5-Rd mags for hunting. </p><p></p><p>Or I can pony up for an Axiom, with a Krieger or Proof barrel, and mount it in a nice custom Neal Bauder or Joel Russo piece of wood. Won't come out cheaper, but would be the rifle to pass onto my kids. </p><p></p><p>What I really want:</p><p>- ~60• bolt throw (no desire to skin my knuckles on the scope)</p><p>- 6.5 creedmoor </p><p>- accuracy </p><p>- light weight</p><p>- great trigger</p><p>- must be threaded for a sound suppressor </p><p></p><p>What I want that I don't already have:</p><p>- 24" barrel</p><p>- better ergonomics</p><p>- lighter bolt lift (the Brownings are factory, so they're nice but a touch stiff)</p><p>- someday, an aspirationally gorgeous stock. I don't know that that needs to be today. </p><p></p><p>Intended use: </p><p>- deer hunting <500 m</p><p>- aspirational elk hunt (someday)</p><p>- targets to 1000 m</p><p></p><p>When I think about going the custom route, I am really inspired by the Axiom, and the GAP Tempest as well. Then I begin to think about weight, and Proof barrels. So, a 24" Proof in .264 in their light Sendero profile should be ~2.7 pounds, if I read their site correctly. For $900. Whereas a Krieger with the same spec in a #5.5 profile, fluted, should be ~3.3 pounds? And cost $325+$150=$475. And might be stiffer for the weight penalty, causing less POI deflection with the Sandman affixed. </p><p></p><p>So a) should I just sell both and buy the perfectly serviceable Tikka? b) should I just sell the one and buy a McM Game Scout, eventually chopping down the 26" barrel and continuing to cycle the action until it's like butter, or c) should I pony up for the custom route? And if so, Proof vs Krieger?</p><p></p><p>I know... a lot of thoughts and questions, but I'm in the research phase.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="bbckfh, post: 1342012, member: 100810"] First: thanks in advance for listening... So I need some advice. I currently have two Browning X-Bolts. One a Hunter in .308 Win and one a Long Range Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor. Both have the same action and trigger, the '08 has a 22" sporter barrel and the 6.5 a 26" threaded "heavy sporter" barrel. In truth, they're both great shooters. But... They don't quite fit, and I certainly don't need two such similar rifles. Specifically, I'd like a slightly longer LOP (by ~1"), a slightly more upright pistol grip, a slightly higher comb (I'm using a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x32 and 4-12x40, both in low rings, so I don't need much), and a slightly shorter reach from the pistol grip to the trigger shoe. I'm loath to sell because they both shoot so well (3/8"@100yds) but... I made the mistake of going to Cabela's, and the Tikka T3x CTR seemed to meet all of those dimensions more closely. Plus the barrel is only 24", so I'll still get decent velocity yet be slightly more handy with my 8" Sandman Ti attached. Of course, I've lusted after Coopers and their gorgeous wood for quite some time. And the Curtis Axiom sounds amazing. So it begs the question: I can sell both and get the Tikka, and come out ahead on cash for diapers (I have 4 under 7 who will need college savings) or ammo, or travel. Maybe less so when it comes time to buy two 5-Rd mags for hunting. Or I can pony up for an Axiom, with a Krieger or Proof barrel, and mount it in a nice custom Neal Bauder or Joel Russo piece of wood. Won't come out cheaper, but would be the rifle to pass onto my kids. What I really want: - ~60• bolt throw (no desire to skin my knuckles on the scope) - 6.5 creedmoor - accuracy - light weight - great trigger - must be threaded for a sound suppressor What I want that I don't already have: - 24" barrel - better ergonomics - lighter bolt lift (the Brownings are factory, so they're nice but a touch stiff) - someday, an aspirationally gorgeous stock. I don't know that that needs to be today. Intended use: - deer hunting <500 m - aspirational elk hunt (someday) - targets to 1000 m When I think about going the custom route, I am really inspired by the Axiom, and the GAP Tempest as well. Then I begin to think about weight, and Proof barrels. So, a 24" Proof in .264 in their light Sendero profile should be ~2.7 pounds, if I read their site correctly. For $900. Whereas a Krieger with the same spec in a #5.5 profile, fluted, should be ~3.3 pounds? And cost $325+$150=$475. And might be stiffer for the weight penalty, causing less POI deflection with the Sandman affixed. So a) should I just sell both and buy the perfectly serviceable Tikka? b) should I just sell the one and buy a McM Game Scout, eventually chopping down the 26" barrel and continuing to cycle the action until it's like butter, or c) should I pony up for the custom route? And if so, Proof vs Krieger? I know... a lot of thoughts and questions, but I'm in the research phase. [/QUOTE]
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